U.S. patent application number 14/900154 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for patient care device with audible alarm sensing and backup.
This patent application is currently assigned to Segars California Partners, LP. The applicant listed for this patent is Segars California Partners, LP. Invention is credited to Peter D. Sabota.
Application Number | 20160135758 14/900154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52022833 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160135758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sabota; Peter D. |
May 19, 2016 |
Patient Care Device with Audible Alarm Sensing and Backup
Abstract
An alarm sensing and backup system for patient devices that
senses when the normal alarm sensing system is not sounding
properly and sounds an independent backup alarm.
Inventors: |
Sabota; Peter D.; (Austin,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Segars California Partners, LP |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Segars California Partners,
LP
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
52022833 |
Appl. No.: |
14/900154 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
June 14, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US14/42439 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61835524 |
Jun 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/7405 20130101;
A61B 2505/03 20130101; A61B 5/746 20130101; A61G 11/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. A patient care device; comprising: a. an audible alarm sensor
system to detect critical conditions of the patient or of the
patient care device; b. one or more audible alarms that are
triggered to sound by the audible alarm sensor system; c. an
independent backup alarm for the patient care device; d. an alarm
verification system comprising a sound sensing device to sense and
verify whether the one or more audible alarms have actually
sounded; e. wherein if the sound sensing device does not detect a
correct audible alarm the alarm verification system activates the
independent backup alarm.
2. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is an infant warming center.
3. The patient care device of claim 2 further comprising a vertical
column structure mounted on the infant warming center that supports
a radiant heater head, containing a radiant heater assembly that is
one of the associated warming mechanisms.
4. The patient care device of claim 3 wherein the sound sensing
device to sense the audible alarm and the independent backup alarm
are mounted within the patient care device.
5. The patient care device of claim 4 wherein the sound sensing
device to sense the audible alarm and the independent backup alarm
are mounted in the vertical column structure.
6. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is an anesthesia machine.
7. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is an infusion pump.
8. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is a ventilator.
9. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is a monitoring device.
10. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the patient care
device is in a hospital or medical setting.
11. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the one or more
audible alarms can vary in pattern for differing critical
conditions.
12. The patient care device of claim 11 wherein the sound-sensing
device can sense and verify whether a correct alarm pattern is
sounded for each differing critical condition.
13. The patient care device of claim 12 wherein the sound-sensing
device can sense and verify whether the correct alarm pattern is
sounded with sufficient volume.
14. The patient care device of claim 12 wherein the sound-sensing
device can sense and distinguish at least between correct alarm
patterns based on Pulse, Pulse Frequency, Harmonic Components,
Pulse Duration, Rise/Fall Time, or Tempo.
15. The patient care device of claim 12 wherein the sound-sensing
device can sense a voice alarm.
16. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the sound sensing
device is a microphone.
17. The patient care device of claim 1 wherein the one or more
audible alarms are sounded by speakers.
18. A method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms
comprising: a. sensing the one or more audible alarms; b. providing
an independent backup alarm; and c. sounding the independent backup
alarm when the sound sensing device does not sense the one or more
audible alarms after the audible alarm sensing system has detected
critical conditions of the patient or the patient care device.
19. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the one or more audible alarms can vary in pattern
for differing critical conditions.
20. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 19 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms can
sense and distinguish at least between correct alarm patterns based
on Pulse, Pulse Frequency, Harmonic Components, Pulse Duration,
Rise/Fall Time, or Tempo.
21. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 19 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms can
sense voice alarms.
22. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 19 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms can
sense and verify whether the correct alarm pattern is sounded for
each differing critical condition.
23. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 19 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms can
sense and verify whether the correct alarm pattern is sounded with
sufficient volume.
24. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is an infant warming
center.
25. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 further comprising a vertical column structure mounted on
the infant warming center that supports a radiant heater head,
containing a radiant heater assembly that is one of the associated
warming mechanisms.
26. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms and
the independent backup alarm are mounted in the patient care
device.
27. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the sensing of the one or more audible alarms and
the independent backup alarm are mounted in the vertical column
structure.
28. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is an anesthesia
machine.
29. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is an infusion pump.
30. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is a ventilator.
31. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is a monitoring
device.
32. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the patient care device is in a hospital or
medical setting.
33. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the sensing of the one or more alarms is done by a
microphone.
34. The method for providing an independent backup alarm for a
patient care device having an audible alarm sensor system for
detecting critical conditions and one or more audible alarms of
claim 18 wherein the sounding of the independent backup alarm is
done by speakers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application 61/835,524 filed Jun. 14, 2013.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of various patient care
devices used in the care of critical patients. Example devices
could be infant warming devices, anesthesia machines, infusion
pumps, ventilators, monitoring devices, or neonatal intensive care
units. These patient care devices are often in a hospital or
medical setting. Such patient care devices often have audible alarm
condition sensors that monitor certain parameters and determine
when an alarm condition exists. This alarm condition may be
associated with the patient or with the patient care device itself.
This could be related to a condition of the patient (eg: low heart
rate, low temperature, etc.) or that there has been a critical
failure in the hardware or software operating the medical device.
The actual alarm sound may be distinctive to the critical condition
being sensed. These alarms are very important to patient safety in
that the caregivers must respond quickly to satisfy the alarm
condition. A loss of hardware or system faults could go undetected
and the solution described in this disclosure ensures that this
type of failure will not occur.
[0003] There is a need then for a system that ensures that an alarm
actually sounds when an alarm condition is detected, and that it is
the correct alarm for the condition sensed.
[0004] Although the solution proposed here can be applied in any
number of patient care devices the example to be shown is for an
infant warming device. A variety of various infant warming devices
are used to provide heat support to premature infants who cannot
sustain their own body temperature. In the treatment of infants,
and particularly those born prematurely, it is necessary to provide
heat to the infant during the care and treatment of the infant and
to minimize heat loss from the infant's body. An apparatus for
providing such heat will be referred to in this disclosure as an
infant warming device. In general such an apparatus comprises a
flat planar surface on which the infant rests while various
procedures are carried out. There are normally protective guards
that surround the infant and some type of overhead heater directing
radiant energy toward the infant. It should be understood that
these infant warming devices might have other descriptive names,
such as, for example, an infant care device, or an infant care
center, patient care center, an infant incubator, or a combination
device, and this disclosure anticipates any of those other names.
This disclosure will use the term infant warming device.
SUMMARY
[0005] This need can be met by incorporating into the device a
separate sound-sensing device that that is part of an alarm
verification system and will serve as an independent means of
assuring that an alarm actually sounds and sounds correctly when it
is enabled. This sound-sensing device is part of the audible alarm
system circuitry and is programmed to sense or listen for the
correct sound of the alarm when the audible alarm sensing system is
triggered and if the correct alarm sound is not detected it will
sound an independent backup alarm thus ensuring that the critical
patient condition or the device fault condition is known. Sensing
whether the correct sound could mean not only whether the alarm
sounds, but if it loud enough or if the correct sound pattern is
heard. As a secondary benefit, in an Infant warming device, this
sound-sensing device can also be used to measure and/or display
ambient noise surrounding the device that may be displayed on a
user interface of the device.
[0006] The need can be met by a patient care device; including at
least: an audible alarm sensor system to detect critical conditions
of the patient or of the patient care device; one or more audible
alarms that are triggered to sound by the audible alarm sensor
system; an independent backup alarm for the patient care device; an
alarm verification system comprising a sound sensing device to
sense and verify whether the one or more audible alarms have
actually sounded; wherein if the sound sensing device does not
detect a correct audible alarm the alarm verification system
activates the independent backup alarm.
[0007] The need can also be met by a method for providing an
independent backup alarm for a patient care device having an
audible alarm sensor system for detecting critical conditions and
one or more audible alarms including at least the steps of: sensing
the one or more audible alarms; providing an independent backup
alarm; and sounding the independent backup alarm when the sound
sensing device does not sense the one or more audible alarms after
the audible alarm sensing system has detected critical conditions
of the patient or the patient care device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] There are disclosed in the drawings and detailed description
to follow various embodiments of the solution proposed herein. It
should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given
in the drawings and entailed description do not limit the
disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for
discerning the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications
that will be encompassed in the scope of the eventual claims.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of an infant care center that can include
the inventive concept described in this disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an alternate view of an infant care center that
can include the inventive concept described in this disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an alternate view of an infant care center that
can include the inventive concept described in this disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the location of the alarms and
the sound-sensing device of the alarm verification system above the
integrated touch screen.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view illustrating the alarms and the
sound-sensing device of the alarm verification system above the
integrated touch screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, several views of an
infant warming center that can include the inventive concept to be
described in this disclosure. The center includes an infant bed 80
that underlies an infant positioned thereon. The infant bed has a
surrounding sidewall 70 and rides upon a patient support mechanism
140. The patient bed and surrounding sidewalls may enclose a heated
mattress. A vertical column structure mounted on the infant warming
center supports a radiant heater head 10, containing a radiant
heater 170 (FIG. 3), with that radiant heater. The radiant heater
assembly is designed to optimize the heat focused on the infant.
The vertical column structure may have a user interface/display 30
which can act as a display for the images recorded by the camera.
The column may include a resuscitation module 50. The infant
warming device's main computer controller may reside in the
vertical column structure or may reside in the patient support
mechanism. Handles 60, 90, are used to move the infant warming
device around as it can be moved on flat surfaces via legs 110 with
attached wheels and controlled with footswitches 130. On the rear
side of the column is a location for carrying a remote gas supply
tank 100. Under the patient support mechanism 140 is a cantilever
cover 160 and turret cover 180 for shrouding the rotation
mechanisms, with a cantilever arm 190 that supports the patient
support, vertical column, and supports a storage enclosure 150.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a possible location of the
alarms 220 of an audible alarm sensing system and the sound sensing
device 210 of an alarm verification system above the integrated
touch screen 30. There may be one or more alarms 220. The
sound-sensing device, which may be a microphone, is located in this
illustration on the vertical column structure below alarms 220 of
the normal audible alarm sensing system. This sound sensing device
of the alarm verification system will measure the sound of the
alarm after the audible alarm sensing system is triggered and if
the correct alarm is not detected or is too low in volume it will
sound an independent backup alarm (not shown) thus ensuring that
the critical patient condition or the device fault condition is
known. In addition, there may be different types of
alarms--different sound patterns--sounded by the audible alarm
sensing system to signify different critical issues to be addressed
in either the equipment or the patient. Example alarm patterns from
medical alarm standards are described in terms of Pulse, Pulse
Frequency, Harmonic Components, Pulse Duration, Rise/Fall Time,
Tempo, and Pulse Sound Pressure (volume). Another alarm pattern can
be a voice alarm.
[0016] The proposed system may be programed to detect for the
presence of any of these alternate patterns. The proposed alarm
verification system may also be able to sense and verify whether
the correct alarm is sounded and if not, sound the independent
backup alarm.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view illustrating the alarms 220 of the
audible alarm sensing system and the sound-sensing device 210 of
the alarm verification system above the integrated touch screen 30.
The sound-sensing device is shown mounted on a circuit board but
the deployment is not limited to that approach. There may be one or
more alarms 220. Alarms 220 are shown in this illustration on each
side and slightly above the sound-sensing device 210. The exact
placement is not critical.
[0018] In practice the included sound-sensing device 210 either
constantly monitors for sound or only monitors when the audible
alarm sensing system is triggered and as part of the circuitry of
the alarm system checks for the alarm sounds to come from alarms
220 in an alarm situation. If it does not detect the alarm signal
or the sound is below a predefined threshold volume it
automatically sounds an independent backup alarm.
[0019] In the proposed audible alarm sensing system, the sound
sensing device is programmed to "sense" the normal audible alarm
whenever the audible alarm sensing system is triggered by any
undesired condition.
Advantages of the Invention Over the Prior Art
[0020] The alarm verification system described herein increases the
level of safety for the patient by adding significant reliability
to the alarm system.
[0021] Although certain embodiments and their advantages have been
described herein in detail, it should be understood that various
changes, substitutions and alterations could be made without
departing from the coverage as defined by the appended claims.
Moreover, the potential applications of the disclosed techniques is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
processes, machines, manufactures, means, methods and steps
described herein. As a person of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate from this disclosure, other processes, machines,
manufactures, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later
to be developed that perform substantially the same function or
achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding
embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufactures, means, methods or steps.
* * * * *